Renting Camera Equipment

[Dustin Wilcox]

As chasers many of us dream of having nice cameras and expensive lenses, though many of us can't justify/afford expensive cameras or quality lenses; especially since we may only need the Camera or lens for 3 weeks out of the year. Renting would solve this problem, those with cameras already could rent that too expensive to buy wide angle to use while chasing, and those with out quality SLR's could rent the camera and the lens to use while chasing. Or if there is a lens you have been pondering buying you can rent it prior to purchasing to try it out. To me this seems like a good idea, just like renting a car, you could rent quality photography equipment. For example I really wouldn't mind having a quality Wide angle L series Canon, but seeming that I would only use it for chasing I can't seem to justify dropping that much money on one, renting one for a fraction of the price would solve that problem. Do you think there would be much interest for this type of program in the chasing community?

 

[Phil Kurimski]

The problem I could see is that with interchangeable lenses it is very easy to scratch or ruin a lens because of all the dust etc. that we encounter while chasing and the fact that you have to physically remove the lens before putting another one on. Then you will have to purchase the lens if you ruin it...defeating purpose of renting. What I did was buy a "Bridge" camera the Fuji s6000fd. It is about half the price of a DSLR but still has enough advanced features like threads at the end of the camera for Filters and Wide Angle Lenses. It also 'feels' like a DSLR and takes great pictures.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

The problem I could see is that with interchangeable lenses it is very easy to scratch or ruin a lens because of all the dust etc. that we encounter while chasing and the fact that you have to physically remove the lens before putting another one on. Then you will have to purchase the lens if you ruin it...defeating purpose of renting.

As for scratching and or dust, that could easily be solved as the lenses would come with a filter, as for dropping/water damage or anything else of the like, it would all be covered through a damage waiver package, included in the price of renting the equipment, no different then renting a car, if something such as hail damage, or anything else of the like occurs you are covered.

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

The problem I could see is that with interchangeable lenses it is very easy to scratch or ruin a lens because of all the dust etc. that we encounter while chasing and the fact that you have to physically remove the lens before putting another one on. Then you will have to purchase the lens if you ruin it...defeating purpose of renting.

I've been chasing with a DSLR since 2002 and haven't damaged a lens yet... and that's even without protective filters. I have always wanted to rent a large telephoto (400-600mm).

 

[Phil Kurimski]

I admit that I do not have experience with DSLR...but I have heard about how sensitive the lenses are. Perhaps it is over exaggeration. Personally I would rather invest money in data gathering than camera equipment. Then again I do not sell my photos and I am not a professional photographer. Maybe someday I will take the leap...especially if prices keep dropping.

 

[Tony Laubach]

I've gone as far as dropping my D70s on a dirt road and it came out fine. I've considering renting high value lenses for a time period as opposed to buying them, but like with everything I've purchased for chasing, I've come across many other uses to justify the costs.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Reason I ask this, I have come across a relatively young business looking to tap into new markets. His prices are already what I would consider quite reasonable. And due to his eagerness to tap into new markets, based on how much interest is generated in the chasing community, I may be able to draw even lower rates to rent Lenses or even cameras.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I'd check out http://www.lensrentals.com/ and see where there prices are compared to the person you know. I know of at least a few chasers who already rent from this website.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

I'd check out http://www.lensrentals.com/ and see where there prices are compared to the person you know. I know of at least a few chasers who already rent from this website.

I'm pretty sure if I could prove there is enough interest in the market, I could negotiate/push for rates for chasers that would be much cheaper than some of the rates on that site.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

As chasers many of us dream of having nice cameras and expensive lenses, though many of us can't justify/afford expensive cameras or quality lenses; especially since we may only need the Camera or lens for 3 weeks out of the year. Renting would solve this problem, those with cameras already could rent that too expensive to buy wide angle to use while chasing, and those with out quality SLR's could rent the camera and the lens to use while chasing. Or if there is a lens you have been pondering buying you can rent it prior to purchasing to try it out. To me this seems like a good idea, just like renting a car, you could rent quality photography equipment. For example I really wouldn't mind having a quality Wide angle L series Canon, but seeming that I would only use it for chasing I can't seem to justify dropping that much money on one, renting one for a fraction of the price would solve that problem. Do you think there would be much interest for this type of program in the chasing community?

There are actually already lots of places out there to rent lenses online (rentglass.com, lensrental.com); it's not cheap, though. Still, probably more economical than buying, if you're only going to use them a few weeks out of the year.

BTW, as for the damage issue -- most of the higher end lenses are quite sturdy. It's true that you can break them and you are on the hook for replacing them if you do, but you can usually buy insurance upfront to protect against this. You can get it quite cheap if you have a homeowners or renters policy with someone; just call them up and ask for a "rider" on the piece of equipment for the time that you have it. Insuring a $4,200 lens that I rented for a week against theft and damage cost me a few dollars.